Columns

SNAPP screen Track Installation Guide for Different Porch Column Styles

Dealing with Columns, Capitals and Bases on a porch screening project

How to tackle everything from the basic 2x4 to the grandiose and ornate

SNAPP screen track screen porch with water view

Besides holding up the roof, porch columns can add curb appeal and enhance the overall appearance of your home. While many porches have simple 4” x 4” or 6” x 6” columns (making the screening project very simple), others may be additionally decorated with capitals, bases, decorations or be faced with PVC, trim boards, stone, stucco or brick. Consequently, some of these features can be a major challenge to overcome when screening in a porch. Follow these guidelines for successful SNAPP screen installation using the SNAPP screen Track system.

Standard Type Columns

This includes typical post and beam construction, 2x4, 4x4, 6x6, etc.

Standard columns fully exposed: These are the most basic of columns that would be found and have no special requirements to facilitate installation. Simply install the SNAPP screen Track right onto the column. (PVC and powder coated aluminum are both direct mount to PT lumber. For added caution, we recommend a bond breaker be applied between aluminum Track and PT lumber. Simply run standard electrical tape on the back side of all aluminum SNAPP Screen Tracks to break the bond between the lumber and extrusion)

Standard columns wrapped with wood or PVC trim board: Treat these the same as a fully exposed column.

Standard column with PVC sleeve cover: Depending upon the manufacturer and style of tube, there may be a gap between the sleeve and the internal post. Give the sleeve a good squeeze in the center and see how far it deflects.

- Little to no deflection: Treat this the same as a fully exposed column except that the SNAPP Screen Track should be mounted at any depth within the opening but not closer than 1/2" from the external column face.

- Obvious substantial deflection (indicating a gap between internal column and sleeve): Mount the SNAPP screen Track at any depth within the opening but not closer than 1/2" from the external column face. Keep a sharp eye on the sleeve during installation and only tighten screws till you begin to see the sleeve deflect inward. Additionally, in these situations, our stock installation screws will not work. You will need to supply your own hardware (in most cases, 1-1/2"). Caution: Over tightening of installation screws can crack or deform the cover sleeve.

These setups make SNAPP screen porch projects straightforward with minimal adjustments.

Capitals and Bases

"Capitals" (the decoration at the top of a column) and "Bases" (the decoration at the base of a column) can range from a simple box style to ornate and grand. Porches may have no capitals or bases, only capitals, only bases, or have both. In all cases, the goal is the same ... the creation of a flat surface for SNAPP screen Track mounting and seamless SNAPP screen integration. This is accomplished in one of 2 ways:

1) Split the Capital (or Base): The capital (or base) is split and removed, SNAPP screen Track and screen are installed, then the capital (or base) is reinstalled. Wherever the Track is present, the capital (or base) is trimmed down to accommodate the Track. At times this can be accomplished with a partial capital (or base) removal but it will depend upon the capital (or base) design.

Examples below:
- Left photo has a split capital, split base, and a base edge starter strip*.
- Right photo has split capital, split base, split center trim and a vertical starter strip*.

Arched top screen porch with SNAPP screen track

Simple screen porch with screen starter strip installed

2) Create "Negatives": Negatives are typically made from 1" or 5/4" material - either wood or PVC and are shaped and sized to fill in the difference between the outer most edge of the capital (or base) and the column.

Examples below:

- Capitals and bases are noted on each photo on the left.
- "Negatives" are noted on the right side photos.

In both cases, the "Negatives" creates the mounting surface for the SNAPP screen Track. Also note that on the top right photo, a large "negative" was avoided by creating a return filler on the capital and a toe kick in between the bases.

Ocean front screen porch with arched top screens

SNAPP screen ocean front arched top screen porch

Screen porch with workaround for top capitals

Exterior "before" and "after" photos shown below

Under construction screen porch build out

Arched top screen porch screening solution

Wide porch screens with column starter strip installed

Photo Left:

Here's another "Negative" variation. Notice in this application, the negative sits on the base and is notched to go over the capital in order to create a clean mounting surface for the SNAPP screen Track.

* A "starter strip" or "spacer" is either a wood or PVC material used to add room in between the extrusion and the floor, a column, wall, etc. These are sized as needed and are not required in all installations, They are most often used on concrete or stone floors as well as stone or brick columns. Benefit of a starter strip, besides added work room, is that the SNAPP screen Track can be installed using standard hardware (for appearance) and any masonry hardware used to mount the starter strip is hidden underneath.

Victorian - Gingerbread porches are about the most complicated porch designs to screen in. These porches are normally on the front of homes and may have tremendous architectural detail. Some porches may even be historically protected. (check first if you live in a historic area) In almost all cases, you'll want to screen the porch from the interior thus leaving the exterior as clean as possible. While we have seen some of these porches screened from the exterior, this really should be avoided if at all possible. Screens on the exterior of the porch, on the front of a home, will not only ruin the architectural detail of the porch, but also the curb appeal of the home.

You will need to build a physical framing structure inside the porch - from floor to ceiling and from end to end. Framing is normally 2x3 or 2x4 pressure treated or a structural composite material. You will need to frame out for a door - preferably centered with the entrance stairway. Aligning all breaks behind columns. The goal here, with the exception of the door jamb and side lite(s) (if needed) is to have the entire framing system hidden inside the porch. Once this structure is fully built and finish painted, you would treat the project as a standard porch screening project.

Traditional new england style screen porch

All three porches shown here have a full framing system constructed from standard building materials on the interior of the porch. With the framing system in place, all three porches are screened from the interior. Two of the porches have used traditional wooden style doors while one has opted for aluminum doors. In all cases, note how the screens have not detracted from the exterior character of each home.

Screen gingerbread style screened porch with SNAPP screen track

Brick, Stone, Concrete and Stucco

Brick, stone, concrete and stucco installations can all be tricky - but are certainly not impossible. Best practice in all cases is to carefully plan for your screen porch during construction – if possible - so when it's time to install your screen porch no modifications are needed.

Pre-Construction:
Shown left, proper planning has a mounting surface incorporated into the stone fireplace. The SNAPP screen Track can be direct mounted, or a spacer can be used if needed. This concept is the same for brick installations also. When considering an installation onto modern stucco (stucco over styrofoam over wood), ensure a solid wood base will be present in all areas where installation will occur.

Existing Structures:
Shown lower left. If you are lucky enough to have a smooth brick, stone or concrete surface you can mount the Track directly. We prefer the use of a "starter strip" or "spacer" (see above for details) but it is not required for smooth installations. If your surface is not smooth, you will first need to install the "starter strip" to create the mounting surface. Anchor securely and fill any gaps between the brick, stone or concrete with solid roll foam, tucking in as needed with a screwdriver or putty knife. (do not use spray foam or caulk)

Stucco: Real stucco over concrete - install direct if possible or install "starter strip" first. Modern stucco (stucco over styrofoam over wood), use extreme caution. Installation screws must be long enough to penetrate the wood base under the stucco and styrofoam. Additionally, tighten screws snug but do not over tighten. Over tightening can damage stucco.

(left photo) If a screened porch was considered during planning / construction, there would most likely be a column or other flat surface built right into the exterior siding of the home. The SNAPP screen Track should be able to be mounted directly with no modifications needed.

Some porches will already have a column up against the home simply due to porch design. In these cases, you can leave as is or simply tuck some soft foam in between the column and the exterior siding. Do not use spray foam or any glue backed products. The SNAPP screen Track should be able to be mounted directly with no further modifications.

Screen porch starter strip against metal home siding

Most “problems” arise when a starting point must be created.

Starter strip for screen porch with clapboard siding

A starter strip has been installed in both photos. In both cases, you can leave as is or simply tuck some soft foam in between the starter strip and the exterior siding. The SNAPP screen Track should be able to be mounted directly with no further modifications.

Porch screen work around for brick wall starting point

(right photo) A full “negative” has been created for the starting point. And here again, the SNAPP screen Track should then be able to be mounted directly with no further modifications.

Example of a negative saw tooth starter strip for screen porch

Situational pages that help you install SNAPP screen Track

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